How To Purify Water

  • August 1, 2008
  • 35,340 Views
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Thoreau said, “Water is the only drink for a wise man.” Here’s how to purify yours when you’re out in the wild.

You Will Need

  • A camp stove or campfire
  • A water purifier
  • Water purification tablets
  • A container to collect water
How To Purify Water: Pick your water carefully

Step 1: Pick your water carefully

Even if you’re intending to purify it, pick water carefully—ideally, from a running stream. Avoid standing water, and/or water that is dark, smelly, or filled with debris.

How To Purify Water: Boil it

Step 2: Boil it

Boil water for about five minutes on a camp stove or over a campfire, removing anything that floats to the top as it bubbles.

How To Purify Water: Use a purifier

Step 3: Use a purifier

If you do a lot of camping, invest in a water purifier that uses a chemical-free system. Look for one with an absolute pore size of 0.2 micron.

How To Purify Water: Use chlorine dioxide tablets

Step 4: Use chlorine dioxide tablets

If you don’t want to lug a camp stove or invest in a pricey purifier, take chlorine dioxide tablets along on your camping trip. Just drop them into water, wait a few hours, and the water is safe to drink.

Avoid iodine purification tablets, which while still sold, have lost favor with campers because of their danger to people with thyroid conditions.

How To Purify Water: Collect condensation

Step 5: Collect condensation

If you are lost & have no means of starting a fire to boil water, collect condensation. Dig a hole in the ground, put a container inside (fashion one from bark if you must), and cover it with plastic or cloth secured with rocks & with a stone in the center, so it hangs lower than the sides.

Seventy-nine percent of campers bring bottled water with them, according to a survey.

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Comments (4)

sarge657

very helpful.

over 3 years ago by sarge657

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WGAC

the bottle size water purifier has been invested and actually selling in singapore couple of years ago.

over 2 years ago by WGAC

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nikkipie

good to know.

over 2 years ago by nikkipie

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takingcare

A wise man only drink is water. What if he/she is thirsty for knowledge?

over 2 years ago by takingcare

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